Cigar Guide

This small cigar guide is meant to be of some help for the foreign visitor to Tokyo looking to buy cigars. Japan is not exactly the place with a long tradition of smoking cigars, so don't expect to meet many cigar smokers. Although a large percentage of Japanese smoke cigarettes, cigars just never were really popular here. It seems the concept of sitting down and relax with a cigar is not exactly what the ever-busy Japanese smokers are looking for. However, you can smoke in most public places, bars and restaurants without being bothered, of course, except for the no-smoking corners in some places.

The few Japanese who do smoke cigars, however, take it quite seriously. And the small number of shops are well stocked with the most popular Cuban brands. Prices aren't cheap. Steep tobacco taxes and the high cost of retailing in this country make for quite impressive prices. Since the price of tobacco products is controlled by the government, every shop has to sell at the same price.

Major Cigar Shops in Tokyo

Cigar Club (03-3583-7130)
Owned by the general importer of Cuban cigars in Japan. Well stocked Walk-in-Humidor, up-scale cigar accessories and expert advise from Japanese and English speaking staff. The shop is closed on Sunday and public holidays.
Cigar Club Westin Hotel (03-5449-8477)
Branch of the Cigar Club. Smaller shop with a little lounge.

Le Connaisseur Ginza (03-3573-8686)
Le Connaisseur Roppongi (03-3746-3636)
Cigar bar and shop. The shops are well stocked. The bars are expensive. The Roppongi shop is closed on Sunday.

Davidoff Shop Hotel Okura (03-3588-8575)
Davidoff Shop Hotel New Otani (03-3239-0769)
Mainly Davidoff products, but also a few major Cuban and other Dominican brands.

Cigar Shop L.W.A.N (03-6426-2170)
Large selection of major Cuban brands, plus a large number of Honduran and Dominican brands.
Shop owner speaks English.

Nomura Tobacco (03-3443-0370)
Large selection of major Cuban brands, plus a large number of Honduran and Dominican brands.

Kagaya (03-3352-3689)
Selection of Cuban, Honduran and Dominican brands. Open on Sunday.

Roppongi Tobacco Center (03-3401-9893)
Selection of major Cuban brands, plus a few Honduran and Dominican brands. Closed on Sunday.

Ariizumi (03-3461-4357)
Good selection of Cuban brands. Open on Sunday.

For directions to the shops you best ask at your hotel's front desk.